Tamarisk Grove Campground

Anzo-Borrego Desert State Park serves as a beacon for bikers in the area. We have a feeling it has something to do with the more than 500 miles of road that are open to bikers within the park. The routes vary greatly, taking bikers up and down rocky hills, through sand and along flowing creeks. There are some hiking trails also open to bikers, but the park also welcomes two-wheeled fellows to use the primitive jeep roads and paved roads located throughout its boundaries.

Anza-Borrego Desert state park is an extensive oasis for hikers. As the largest state park in California, Anza-Borrego lives up to its sizeable reputation with miles of hiking trails. The trails here vary in length, difficulty and scenery offering plenty of options for both new and returning visitors. The hiking paths take outdoor enthusiasts through all of the park’s terrain, including badlands, canyons, palm tree sanctuaries and snow-capped peaks.

Although in the summer months these lands get hotter than is recommended for horses, but during the winter, fall and spring, the park makes for an excellent horseback riding venture. The park has a horse campground with 10 campsites and access to plenty of trails taking riders past breathtaking canyons and through unbelievable views of the surrounding desert. Time to hit the dusty trail!

If you’re looking for a little off-roading adventure, Anza-Borrego state park is the spot for you. The park’s naturally rugged, desert-like terrain is the perfect place to get a some dirt on your tires. There are several roads in the park that are true “jeep roads,” meaning that if you don’t have 4WD there is no real reason to call them a “road” at all. For those who want a little rumble and tumble while they make their way through the park, we really must insist you travel as far as possible down Coyote Canyon Road.

In the midst of Anza-Borrego’s dry desert lands, there is a spot fondly referred to as a “palm tree oasis” which can be a much needed refreshing break for heated hikers. The path to the oasis leads you along the same path as an incredibly tempting creek, eventually dumping you by a collection of palm trees that provide shade (a hot commodity in the desert, pun intended). The oasis also has plenty of rocks to sit on, where you watch the creek roll by. If you can’t resist the water, this is a great place to wade and splash around. In the summer months, you can expect a crowd here.